Why can an 18 year old be imprisoned for sleeping with a 17 year old under the guise of "statutory rape"?

Two of the indicted students, a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old male, will also be charged with statutory rape. Criminal complaints were filed against three other students. Of the six indicted students, three are still students at the school and three were expelled in February.

"These students' lives have also been dramatically altered, and they won't be graduating from South Hadley High School," Principal Daniel T. Smith said at the time. The Prince family has not spoken publicly about the girl's suicide.

"What her family and friends from both sides of the Atlantic grieve is the loss of the incandescent enthusiasm of a life blossoming," the notice read. The Associated Press contributed to this story.